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Sommerfeld Fine-Structure Formula for Two-Body Atoms

Atomic Physics 2013-03-22 v2 High Energy Physics - Theory Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

For relativistic atomic two-body systems such as the hydrogen atom, positronium, and muon-proton bound states, a two-body generalisation of the single-particle Sommerfeld fine-structure formula for the relativistic bound-state energies is found. The two-body Sommerfeld bound-state energy formula is obtained from a two-body wave equation which is physically correct to order (Zα)4(Z\alpha)^4. The two-body Sommerfeld formula makes two predictions in order (Zα)6(Z\alpha)^6 for every bound state and every mass ratio. With NN the Bohr quantum number: (a) The coefficient of the (Zα)6/N6(Z\alpha)^6/N^6 energy term has a specified value which depends only on the masses of the bound particles, not on angular quantum numbers; (b) The coefficient of the (Zα)6/N4(Z\alpha)^6/N^4 energy term is a specified multiple of the {\em square} of the coefficient of the (Zα)4/N3(Z\alpha)^4/N^3 energy term. Both these predictions are verified in positronium by previous calculations to order (Zα)6(Z\alpha)^6 which used second-order perturbation theory. They are also correct in the Coulomb-Dirac limit. The effect of the two-body Sommerfeld formula on calculations of muon-proton bound-state energies is examined.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1206.5408,
  title  = {Sommerfeld Fine-Structure Formula for Two-Body Atoms},
  author = {John H. Connell},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1206.5408},
  year   = {2013}
}

Comments

Version 2: More discussion. 6 pages

R2 v1 2026-06-21T21:24:25.659Z